Real-time monitoring of a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreak immunization campaign using digital health technologies in South Sudan

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Abstract

Introduction

the use of digital health technologies and geographical information systems (GIS) in the conduct of immunization campaigns had proven to be a success story, and is gaining acceptance towards improving supervision, accountability, and real-time access to quality information. The demand for real-time information by policymakers and stakeholders in the polio eradication programme is increasing towards ensuring a world free from all polioviruses. This study aims to develop a tool that monitor and evaluate the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) campaign processes in real-time using open data kits (ODK) to collect data, analyze and visualize using an interactive dashboard in Power BI, towards improving timeliness and completeness of data reporting and providing real-time quality information to stakeholders.

Methods

electronic checklists were developed using open data kits (ODK) and uploaded onto android-based smartphones for data collection during a round of cVDPV outbreak response immunization. Supervisors were deployed to the field and the checklists were utilized at both stages of the campaign activities. A Power BI data visualization tool was used for reporting, analysis, and monitoring the activities of the campaign.

Results

an interactive dashboard was developed, providing real-time information that supports stakeholders during the campaign processes with improved timeliness and completeness of data reporting. The usage of the tool during the campaign enhanced close supervision, and increased transparency in data availability and accessibility by all partners.

Conclusion

the study had shown that real-time information has significantly improved the smooth conduct of the immunization campaign processes through identifying gaps, and challenges in the field and can be utilized in similar resource settings including complex and humanitarian. It has demonstrated the capability of mobile phones using ODK for data collection and linked to a Power BI dashboard for enhanced supervision and transparency, and we encourage further studies to assess the effects of the tools on the campaign results.

Most cited references 24

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The use of mobile phone data to inform analysis of COVID-19 pandemic epidemiology

Kyra Grantz, Hannah R. Meredith, Derek A. T. Cummings … (2020)

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has heightened discussion of the use of mobile phone data in outbreak response. Mobile phone data have been proposed to monitor effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions, to assess potential drivers of spatiotemporal spread, and to support contact tracing efforts. While these data may be an important part of COVID-19 response, their use must be considered alongside a careful understanding of the behaviors and populations they capture. Here, we review the different applications for mobile phone data in guiding and evaluating COVID-19 response, the relevance of these applications for infectious disease transmission and control, and potential sources and implications of selection bias in mobile phone data. We also discuss best practices and potential pitfalls for directly integrating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of these data into public health decision making.

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Mobile Health (mHealth) Approaches and Lessons for Increased Performance and Retention of Community Health Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review

Karin Källander, James Tibenderana, Onome J Akpogheneta … (2013)

Background Mobile health (mHealth) describes the use of portable electronic devices with software applications to provide health services and manage patient information. With approximately 5 billion mobile phone users globally, opportunities for mobile technologies to play a formal role in health services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are increasingly being recognized. mHealth can also support the performance of health care workers by the dissemination of clinical updates, learning materials, and reminders, particularly in underserved rural locations in low- and middle-income countries where community health workers deliver integrated community case management to children sick with diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria. Objective Our aim was to conduct a thematic review of how mHealth projects have approached the intersection of cellular technology and public health in low- and middle-income countries and identify the promising practices and experiences learned, as well as novel and innovative approaches of how mHealth can support community health workers. Methods In this review, 6 themes of mHealth initiatives were examined using information from peer-reviewed journals, websites, and key reports. Primary mHealth technologies reviewed included mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones, patient monitoring devices, and mobile telemedicine devices. We examined how these tools could be used for education and awareness, data access, and for strengthening health information systems. We also considered how mHealth may support patient monitoring, clinical decision making, and tracking of drugs and supplies. Lessons from mHealth trials and studies were summarized, focusing on low- and middle-income countries and community health workers. Results The review revealed that there are very few formal outcome evaluations of mHealth in low-income countries. Although there is vast documentation of project process evaluations, there are few studies demonstrating an impact on clinical outcomes. There is also a lack of mHealth applications and services operating at scale in low- and middle-income countries. The most commonly documented use of mHealth was 1-way text-message and phone reminders to encourage follow-up appointments, healthy behaviors, and data gathering. Innovative mHealth applications for community health workers include the use of mobile phones as job aides, clinical decision support tools, and for data submission and instant feedback on performance. Conclusions With partnerships forming between governments, technologists, non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry, there is great potential to improve health services delivery by using mHealth in low- and middle-income countries. As with many other health improvement projects, a key challenge is moving mHealth approaches from pilot projects to national scalable programs while properly engaging health workers and communities in the process. By harnessing the increasing presence of mobile phones among diverse populations, there is promising evidence to suggest that mHealth can be used to deliver increased and enhanced health care services to individuals and communities, while helping to strengthen health systems.

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Short message service (SMS) text messaging as an intervention medium for weight loss: A literature review.

Hayden B Bosworth, R. Shaw (2012)

Nearly 68% of American adults are obese or overweight. Mobile devices such as mobile phones have emerged as a mode of intervention delivery to help people improve their health, particularly in relation to weight loss. This literature review examines the relationship between the use of short message service (SMS) text messaging as an intervention medium and weight loss. Results from this literature review (n = 14) suggest that SMS as an intervention tool for weight loss is still in its infancy. Initial results are promising but continued investigation is needed. We offer several recommendations for future research.

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Author and article information

Contributors

Maleghemi Sylvester: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8078-7242

Michael Nzioki Mwanza: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8811-8852

Samuel Okiror: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8198-9268

Atem Anyuon: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2757-9388

Olu Olushayo Oluseun: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6832-873X

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Pan Afr Med J

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Pan Afr Med J

Journal ID (publisher-id): PAMJ

Title: The Pan African Medical Journal

Publisher: The African Field Epidemiology Network

ISSN (Electronic): 1937-8688

Publication date (Electronic): 01 December 2021

Publication date Collection: 2021

Volume: 40

Electronic Location Identifier: 200

Affiliations

[1 ]World Health Organization (WHO), Inter-Country Support Team Office for East and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe,

[2 ]World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, Juba, South Sudan,

[3 ]World Health Organization (WHO), Regional Office for Africa, Cite de Djoue, Brazzaville, Congo,

[4 ]Ministry of Health, Juba, South Sudan

Author notes

Corresponding author: Isah Mohammed Bello, World Health Organization (WHO), Inter-Country Support Team Office for East and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe. isahbelloh@ 123456yahoo.com

Article

Publisher ID: PAMJ-40-200

DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.40.200.31525

PMC ID: 8760295

PubMed ID: 35222786

SO-VID: c89a8e6a-533f-4c6b-9349-35d18f044d37

License:

The Pan African Medical Journal (ISSN: 1937-8688). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

History

Date received : 06 September 2021

Date accepted : 26 November 2021

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Real-time monitoring of a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreak immunization campaign using digital health technologies in South Sudan

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Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Most cited references 24

The use of mobile phone data to inform analysis of COVID-19 pandemic epidemiology

Mobile Health (mHealth) Approaches and Lessons for Increased Performance and Retention of Community Health Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review

Short message service (SMS) text messaging as an intervention medium for weight loss: A literature review.

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